How to open a newer Revit file in an older version of Revit

Before you start

Find out which version saved the file and which version you will open it in. Revit Downgrade reads the version in your browser as soon as you add the file, so you do not need to open it in Revit first.

If several people will open the file, convert it once to the oldest version anyone uses. A file converted to Revit 2023 still opens in Revit 2024 and later, which simply upgrade it as usual.

Steps

1. Open revitdowngrade.com and add the .rvt, .rfa, .rte or .rft file.
2. Click the Revit version you will open it in and press Downgrade.
3. Wait for the conversion. Small files take about a minute, large models a few minutes for each version they go down.
4. Download the converted file and open it in the older Revit.

After opening

Look through the list of removed elements shown on the result page, then save the file once in the older Revit. From then on it is a normal file of that version.

Families and linked models

Families already loaded in the project are converted with it. Separate files are not: an older Revit refuses to load a family file (.rfa) or link a Revit model saved in a newer release, so convert each one to the same version as the project, then load or reload it in the older Revit.

If something is wrong

If a conversion fails, the file is kept for up to 7 days so I can fix the cause, and you can delete it. If the converted file does not open, the result page lets you send the file to me. For anything else, the contact details are at the bottom of every page.